Relations saw a spectacular setback this week when Duterte branded Obama a “son of a whore” after being told the USA president planned to raise concerns about his war on drugs.
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“Every time he speaks, that opinion is confirmed”.
The president also pushed the public to think critically about the campaign season rhetoric. “Putang ina, I will swear at you in that forum”, Duterte said, using the Tagalog phrase for “son of a bitch”.
At the top of the agenda for Obama’s meetings with Asian leaders in Laos were persistent concerns about China’s behavior in the South China Sea. “When you speak, it should actually reflect thought out policy you can implement”.
The President again slammed GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump Thursday, insisting that Trump is not prepared to handle the “serious business” that comes with being a world leader.
“Who is he?” Mr Duterte said.
Duterte set the tone for the week when, just before flying to Laos on Monday, he launched a barrage of insults at Obama in response to the USA president’s plans to question him over his war on drugs.
He added that such choice words were “a habit, a way of speaking for him”. Obama said the partnership between the two countries should be consistent with the rule of law and global norms.
After Lingao found out that his breaking news about Duterte’s alleged insult against Obama was based on wrong information fed by his Davao correspondent, the President said the reporter quickly apologized for the mistake because he realized that “I never made any reference to Obama”.
“I hope they realised it by now”, he said without elaborating, adding, “I do not have an obligation to please everybody or to please some person”.
The remarks came at the end of Obama’s ninth visit to southeast Asia, where he has tried to bolster relations and present the U.S.as a counterbalance to the increasing power of China. Earlier this week Duterte’s lewd jab at Obama – calling him a “son of a whore” – prompted the White House to cancel planned bilateral talks.
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Duterte made his foul-mouthed comments on September 5 in response to a reporter’s question on the possibility that Obama will raise the issue of drug-related killings. “I can sleep soundly tonight thinking I have served my country the best way I can”, Duterte said.
